Ingredients
Primary Ingredients
- 2 cups zucchini, grated (about 2 medium zucchinis)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Serving
- Ketchup or preferred dipping sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Zucchini: Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and vigorously squeeze to remove all excess moisture. Discard the extracted liquid and ensure you have about 1 cup of packed zucchini.
- Mix Ingredients: Transfer the dried zucchini into a medium mixing bowl. Add the egg, shredded cheddar cheese, panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the mixture is evenly combined and holds together when pressed.
- Form Tots: Using about 1 tablespoon of mixture per tot, shape the mixture into small oval shapes resembling classic tater tots. You should be able to create approximately 16 tots.
- Bake: Arrange the zucchini tots evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake them in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning, until they turn golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the zucchini tots warm accompanied by ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce for a delightful snack or side dish.
Notes
- Be sure to squeeze out as much liquid from the zucchini as possible to ensure crispy tots.
- If mixture is too wet, add a little more panko breadcrumbs to help bind.
- Italian seasoning can be replaced with dried herbs like basil or oregano if preferred.
- These tots can be made in advance and baked just before serving for convenience.
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the tots for the last 2-3 minutes of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
